Dermatológia pre prax 4/2020

Interpretation of instrumental examinations in leg ulcer diagnosis

Leg ulcer, as one of the most common chronic diseases in civilized countries, currently represents a major medical and socioeconomic entity with serious consequences for the patient‘s health and quality of life. The vast majority of lower extremity wounds are of vascular origin (up to 90 %), with the majority being ulcers of venous etiology (50-60 %), combined arterial and venous involvement is also a frequent finding (20-25 %), the third and the least numerous group consists of arterial ulcers (10 %) (1). In the management of a patient with lower leg ulceration, instrumental methods that help clarify vascular etiology play an irreplaceable role in vascular evaluation. Although the dermatologist is not expected to perform an imaging examination, it is necessary that he or she is able to interpret it correctly in relation to the subsequent therapeutic steps.

Keywords: instrumental examinations, sonography, Doppler examination, interpretation, leg ulcer